a spike in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a spike in" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a sudden increase in something, such as numbers, rates, or levels, often in contexts like statistics, economics, or health. Example: "There was a spike in COVID-19 cases last month, prompting local authorities to implement new safety measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A spike in Twitter mentions?

The New Yorker

REUTERS Heralding a Spike In Chinese M.&A.

The New York Times

What's Causing a Spike in Oklahoma Earthquakes?

Columbia University

There's been a spike in playground accidents.

The Guardian

Herdict is also showing a spike in inaccessibility for YouTube.

Harvard University

Myer anticipates that summer will bring a spike in sales.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Opinion polls showed a spike in his approval ratings.

The Guardian

A United Nations survey shows a spike in domestic violence.

The New York Times

What we do see is a spike in gun sales.

The New Yorker

"There was a spike in crime after 23 June.

The Guardian

A spike in 2005 was related to Hurricane Katrina.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a spike in" when you want to emphasize a sudden and noticeable increase, especially when contrasting it with previous levels or trends.

Common error

Avoid using "a spike in" to describe gradual or long-term increases. This phrase is best suited for sudden and sharp rises.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a spike in" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a sudden and significant increase in something, as seen in Ludwig's examples, like "a spike in crime" or "a spike in sales."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a spike in" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and noticeable increase in something. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and very common in contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business. It's important to use this phrase to emphasize sudden rises rather than gradual changes. Alternatives include "a surge in" or "an increase in", but these might carry slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge in

Indicates a sudden and significant increase, similar to "a spike in", but often implies a more forceful or rapid rise.

an increase in

A more general term for a rise, less dramatic than "a spike in", suggesting a gradual or steady growth.

a rise in

Similar to "an increase in", but can sometimes imply a more noticeable or prominent upward trend.

a jump in

Suggests a sudden, noticeable increase, comparable to "a spike in", but perhaps less sustained.

a leap in

Indicates a significant and rapid increase, similar to "a spike in", but potentially over a shorter period.

a growth in

Implies a more gradual and organic increase, different from the suddenness of "a spike in".

an upswing in

Suggests a positive turn or improvement, not necessarily as sharp or sudden as "a spike in".

a boost in

Indicates a positive increase or improvement, not always as sudden or pronounced as "a spike in".

a climb in

Suggests a steady upward movement, less abrupt than "a spike in", often implying sustained progress.

an uptick in

Suggests a slight increase or improvement, less substantial than "a spike in", often used for minor changes.

FAQs

How can I use "a spike in" in a sentence?

Use "a spike in" to describe a sudden increase in something. For example, "There was "a spike in" unemployment after the factory closed."

What are some alternatives to "a spike in"?

You can use alternatives like "a surge in", "an increase in", or "a rise in", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'a spike on' instead of "a spike in"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "a spike" when indicating an increase is "in". "A spike on" would typically refer to something physically located on something else, not an increase.

What's the difference between "a spike in" and "a surge in"?

While both phrases indicate a sudden increase, "a surge in" often implies a more forceful or rapid rise than "a spike in". The choice depends on the specific context and the desired emphasis.